Real Name: Debby Hand Member Since: February 15, 2007 Last Signed In: April 18, 2007 Profile Views: 751 Blog Views: 1649 Wells School Meeting Update! Wells School Meeting Fire Study Results Library Location BeeKay Theater February 07 March 07 April 07 May 07 June 07 July 07 August 07 September 07 October 07 November 07 December 07 January 08 February 08 March 08 April 08 May 08 June 08 July 08 August 08 September 08 October 08 
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BeeKay Theater
I would like to ask everyone what you would like to see done with the BeeKay Theater building. It would cost $100,000 or so to tear it down. The bid to build a building within the shell was close to a million dollars. It would probably cost a million to put up a new building if we tore the walls down. It would cost maybe $300,000 to make it into an atrium park of some kind. What are your opinions and ideas? We have some grant money, and could afford to spend the money to do any of these options. Is it the best use of money? I would particularly like to hear from TCT members. Thank you, Deborah Hand
24 comments from 16 users
posted by
justcurious
on Feb 16, 2007 at 08:28 AM
I persoanlly love the atrium park idea. The weather is so nice so much of the time that I think it could evolve into a wonderful gathering place.
posted by
Sparks
on Feb 16, 2007 at 08:52 AM
OH yes a atrium park!!! Great idea. Thank you for asking our opinion Deborah Hand. You are the first from the City who has reached out to this blog. I will remember that. Again, thank you
posted by
mimi
on Feb 16, 2007 at 10:02 AM
I like the idea of tearing it down and putting in an atrium. If it was done in a way that could accommodate a group of people, this would serve a need we have in the community for public gatherings, and if it were available to the general public, would be an ideal setting for proms, weddings, fundraisers, etc. But did I read correctly when it said that it would be covered with some kind of canvas? With the wind here and occasional snow, I think that would be a bad idea.
posted by
jer72
on Feb 16, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Call me an emotional old sap but I want it to be rebuilt. It was the place where many of us true natives got to watch our first movie. For me it was the Jungle Book. I also have many memories of walking under the markey and lookig at the movie posters. You would buy your tickets in the now Las Palmas and walk through the door to the theater. Then after the movie walk through the big doors under the markey. Years later I remember going thee and the town tried to make it into a small mall. True it would cost more money than most would like but if the same people who want to have Tehachapi's history painted on a wall would donate tot he cause I am sure it could be raised. In my opinion, if the people of the town were serious about promoting the town and it's history then there would be no issue as to what to do. posted by
VtKid
on Feb 16, 2007 at 12:42 PM
This will one of those decisions which will define Tehachapi keeping its small town atmosphere. I grew up in a small town in Vt and now they have the old village which maintained the small town identity and the outskirts where the box stores are being built to satisfy the growing population. I think if the money is available and could be matched up with donations it would be a worthy project to restore.
posted by
mimi
on Feb 16, 2007 at 01:51 PM
jer, if it was rebuilt, what would you make it into? A theater once again? And then how would that affect the hitching post? Though I never got to see the beekay when it was showing movies, I did however see movies at the hitching post after it opened and I wouldn't trade those memories for anything. I totally understand being sentimental about things like that.
posted by
medicone
on Feb 16, 2007 at 03:59 PM
I think we should rebuild it and use it as a city council meeting room. Maybe a stage for the theater group. I think putting a tent over it and making it an atrium is not a good idea. Will a tent let sunlight in for the plants, or keep the cold out? What about security? I am with jer72 restore it as close as possible with some out of view improvements so it can be used today. Tehachapi is in the need of a meeting place not a indoor/ outdoor park.
posted by
countygirl
on Feb 16, 2007 at 04:20 PM
While I think $900,000 is an awful lot of money I would love to see it restored also. Sadly this town is not the place it once was and I feel like while the atrium idea is nice I don't think it would end up being so. I can just see it now. A hang out for the teenagers and as Medicone mentioned what about security? I'd be worried about vandalism. What about you? I think using as a stage for the theater group would be great!
posted by
THSpride
on Feb 16, 2007 at 04:51 PM
I would be ok with $900,000 being spent. I don't like the tent idea. I don't think I have a voice on this, I am not even a tax payer yet! I want something nice at any cost, no more ugly homes, tents or buildings. You can put it on my credit, you guys have been doing it already. My kids can pay it off. lol ;) posted by
ShaneThePain
on Feb 16, 2007 at 07:40 PM
We need to do the right thing with the BeeKay! We need to restore it, make it a place to have town hall meetings in. Yes the atrium/ tent thing is a cheep way to get by, but do we want that downtown? $900,000 is a lot of tax dollars, but so is $300,000. If we are going to spend our money lets do the right thing. The City Council needs a home. TCT needs a home. We can do a lot with a theater. An atrium is limited.
posted by
oldtehachapinative
on Feb 16, 2007 at 10:35 PM
I would like to see something nice. I am not to keen on an atrium. I can see it becoming a teen hang out, they need something but thats not it.
posted by
jer72
on Feb 17, 2007 at 06:56 AM
Mimi, It would never be used as a theater like the Hitching Post. But it could be used for small community plays, the city government could use it for meetings, or what I think would be a great idea is to use it as a history theater. What I mean by that is to create a place where tourist and locals could come in and learn about the history of the Tehachapi Valley and surrounding area. Have guest speakers from the local community, the tribe elder of the local indians, and historians come in a tell about the past and how places got there names. An example of the history that many people don't know that could be told is why the southern mountains have a rough patch on them that you can see from the town. Many don't know thatthat was where the city of LA mined limestone and then transported down the mountain and across the valley by rail cars to the current cement plant. posted by
Sparks
on Feb 17, 2007 at 07:08 AM
I like jeremy's idea to use it for small community plays and meetings. i am changing my vote (grin)
posted by
mimi
on Feb 17, 2007 at 07:18 AM
Yes, I like Jeremy's idea too. It seems more practical in a mountain community. This isn't a mild climate that can really support what I think they have in mind for an atrium that you might see in other areas.
posted by
DH
on Feb 17, 2007 at 08:18 AM
Some great ideas -- thank you all! Please keep them coming. I'd love to see everyone in Tehachapi weigh-in on this one. Debby |
